Category Archives: Subaru

AWD, Motoring, Subaru, SUV

2024 Outback: Performance and Practicality

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Subaru Outback

By Bill McCarthy

The impressive Outback serves a particular niche market, impressing loyal buyers and the motoring media. It has been around for a long time, 25 years in fact. It has become a staple for those who love full-fat off-roaders. It’s also favoured by those in semi-rural locations who may need that kind of capability in remote country lanes when the weather closes in.

This upgraded version offers improved technology, sleeker styling, improved, although not brilliant, economy and bullet proof reliability.

A key area is practicality and the 60/40 split fold-down rear seats deliver a cavernous flat load area of 561 litres of cargo space. For extra stowage, the roof rails, which vary depending on trim level, feature built-in crossbars for carrying loads such as paddleboards or canoes.

Field and Touring models are fitted with a hands-free power tailgate, which can be activated with a wave of an elbow near the rear badge, provided the operator has the vehicle smart key.
Subaru has also been named as a top manufacturer this year in a survey. It topped the Auto Express Driver Power customer satisfaction Survey for 2024. The Japanese brand claimed the top spot beating more mainstream and prestige brands in the list of 32 manufacturers.

You can see why it gains the accolades, with sophisticated safety technology alongside the latest driver assistance and collision avoidance technology, making it the most luxurious and safest yet.

This latest upgrade features new front fascia and grille redesigned sleek LED headlights.

In addition, larger expanded wheel arch cladding adds to the tough new look while providing additional protection. It sits high off the ground with smart 18-inch alloy wheels, to maintain that rugged yet sophisticated appearance.

Gone is the previous agricultural look of the past, to be replaced with sharp exterior design and an upmarket interior, dominated by a stylish tablet-style touchscreen which controls key functions such as navigation, smartphone connectivity, and infotainment.

There are three versions, Limited, Field and the range-topping Touring. All are packed with equipment with this mid-range Field model the latest version of the clever Subaru Eyesight safety technology, which features facial recognition that detects tiredness in the driver with sharp and sometimes annoying warnings.

I know, I know, it’s keep you safe. It can also remember the driving preferences of five users.

With a high level of standard specification, the Touring X Limited Edition also includes a luxurious Nappa Leather interior, heated front & rear seats, smooth leather-wrapped steering wheel, sunroof, and digital reversing camera. 

An 11.6-inch Subaru Infotainment system is portrait-mounted and comes with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay™ & Android Auto™, and is complemented with an 11-speaker Harman/Kardon® sound system. 

It is powered by a 2.5 litre Boxer engine mated with the now familiar Lineartronic transmission. Economy is not what this is about, although at around 33mpg for a 2.5 litre engine pulling such a hunk of metal is not too shoddy. That power also gives it a two-tonne towing capacity.

Acceleration is brisk for this kind of vehicle and it hits 60mph in just over 10 seconds, and although I am not a huge fan this type of transmission, the shifter paddles behind the steering wheel give the chance for a more engaging drive.

There are plenty of creature comforts including eight-way powered and heated front seats with lumbar support, climate control, heated and powered door mirrors, and aluminium pedals.

Just like before, the car comes with Permanent Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and X-MODE. Using the touchscreen, the driver can switch modes for snow, dirt, gravel, or mud conditions. When X-MODE is activated, hill descent control automatically maintains a constant speed when travelling downhill.

Safety kit, which also includes the latest EyeSight, adds adaptive cruise control, lane assist and centering assistance, plus lane sway and departure warning.

FAST FACTS

Subaru Outback Field AWD

Price: £37,995

Mechanical: 169PS, 2498cc, 4-cylinder, petrol engine driving all wheels via Lineartronic CVT transmission

Max Speed: 120mph

0-62mph: 10.2 seconds

Combined MPG: 32.8

Insurance Group: 17

C02 emissions: 193g/km

Bik rating: 37%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Electric/hybrid, Subaru, SUV/4X4

Subaru Forester

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Upgraded hybrid Forester continues to impress

By Bill McCarthy

The fifth-generation Forester offers something markedly different if you’re looking for off-road capability, excellent practicality and bulletproof reliability.
It always has been a bit left field, a rugged go-anywhere vehicle that is perfectly suited to the great outdoors, but now offers more with a significant makeover.
Built on the firm’s Global Platform it now offers many upgrades, together with one of the most comprehensive safety set ups in its sector.
Sitting high off the ground, all-wheel drive capability via the firm’s X-Mode hill descent control is a given.
The rugged vehicle can tackle the most challenging of terrain and offers 1,870kg braked towing capacity. It is unlikely to face those conditions, more like towing a horse box through muddy fields or working on a farm, or being an escape route from remote areas in bad weather.
Its boxy and rugged styling remains, even if the rougher edges have been smoothed out and the e-Boxer hybrid set up means that economy has improved on what has been a thirsty motor, although it still likes a drink.
The power output includes a smallish electric motor mated with a two-litre e-BOXER petrol engine. It works like a normal hybrid with automatic assistance from the electric motor when required.
Many may prefer sharper styling, but this kind of vehicle has a loyal following and the tweaks and improvements include smart light clusters and integrated roof bars.
The latest cabin features plenty of standard kit, including a hi-tech touchscreen infotainment system. Also included are the usual electric and powered bells and whistles, high-quality sound system, reversing camera and a standard, full-length sunroof.
The large stowage area is accessed via a powered tailgate and has, says Subaru, ample room for up to four large suitcases or bulky items, while the 60/40-split folding seats fold flat. It becomes a mini moving van as a couple of trips to the local tip demonstrated when moving house.
It offers an electrically operated driver’s seat with a commanding view through large glass areas and feels spacious and comfortable if a bit dark side, but this is mitigated by chrome inserts to doors, dash and pedals.


The centrepiece is an eight-inch central screen controlling smartphone connectivity, infotainment and navigation, while driver information comes via a 6.3-inch LCD display. Controls and switchgear have a chunky feel and have a dated or depending on your point of view, traditional look.
But controls are clear and legible and logically placed. However Subaru is not the first car firm to decide to make USB ports almost unreachable, hidden away under the dash. Well hidden anyway.
It is a decent drive although hitting the 60mph mark in just under 12 seconds is fairly leisurely. No boy racers here then, but once up to speed it offers a decent ride, and for the type of vehicle decent stability, with only a little body roll on corners.
It is also an excellent motorway cruiser with only some wind noise intruding from the large door mirrors.
Packed with safety kit, it features the firm’s Eyesight technology, which as the name suggests offers a second pair of eyes, or cameras, for the road ahead to detect potential hazards like other cars, motorbikes, bicycles or pedestrians and warns the driver and even applies the brakes if necessary, to help avoid an accident.
There are just three models, XE, Sport and Premium driven here.
It may not be the most sophisticated but maybe that’s the attraction for loyalists. Add to that a five year/100,000 mile warranty and it’s a tempting package.

Factfile

SsangYong Rexton Ventura Plus Auto

Price: £40,500 

Mechanical: 163ps, 2157cc, 4-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine with eight-speed automatic transmission

Max speed: 114mph

0-62mph: 10.7 seconds

Combined MPG: 33

Insurance group: 34-35

C02 emissions: 190g/km

Bik rating: 37%

Warranty: 5yrs/100,000 miles